Albion, Akron cagers split

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Ryan Fannin (10) and Akron’s Noah Diebel (34) dive for the ball during the host Purple Eagles loss to the Tigers this evening.

Road teams emerged victorious this evening as Albion and Akron split in Niagara-Orleans League basketball make-up games.

Frigid temperatures outside were matched by frigid shooting inside as the Albion boys squad bowed 40-28 to visiting Akron.

Gaining a split, the Albion girls jumped out to a 10 point first quarter lead and went on to defeat host Akron 50-39.

Boys Game

Akron 40, Albion 28
Noah Diebel scored a game high 15 points and CJ Longwell netted 10 to spark Akron (1-1) to the 40-28 win over Albion (1-2).

Ryan Fannin and Alex Bison each scored 8 for Albion as Austin Loyd added 6, Connor Barleben 4 and Clayton Stanton two.

Albion did grab a 3-0 lead at the outset but plagued by turnovers and cold shooting the Purple Eagles then went over nine minutes without scoring.

Amazingly, the Purple Eagles still trailed by only five, 10-5, when Fannin finally ended that lengthy drought with a rebound bucket midway through the second quarter as the visiting Tigers’ shooting was nearly as cold.

Two lay-ups off turnovers by Loyd pulled Albion to within three, 14-11, at the half.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Tyler Rotoli puts up a shot against a trio of Akron defenders including Chaunce Hill (22), Noah Diebel (34) and Brendan Weierheiser (32).

However, the Purple Eagles could get no closer as the Tigers used a 10-2 run to open the third quarter to move out to an 11 point, 24-13 advantage. Threes by Longwell and Nick Doria highlighted that uprising.

A three by Bison followed by buckets by Stanton and Loyd rallied Albion back to within five, 28-23, at the three-quarter mark.

The Purple Eagles stayed within six, 34-28, with less than three minutes to go after two free throws by Bison and a lay-up by Fannin but the Tigers countered with four straight free throws by Diebel to put a lock on the victory.

The Albion bench was very thin as several players were absent due to suspensions. In addition, head Coach Brennen Meakin missed the game due to illness.

Girls Game

Albion 50, Akron 39
Justice Nauden scored a game high 18 points and Chanyce Powell 16 to spark the attack for Albion (2-1) in the 50-39 victory over host Akron (1-2).

Kelsee Soule, who returned to the lineup after missing several games with an injury, added 9 for the Purple Eagles as Mandi Covis had 3 and Emily Blanchard and Sarah Metzler 2.

Nauden also had 11 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals and Powell 6 rebounds.

Nauden netted nine quick points in the opening period to help Albion grab a 17-7 lead.

The Purple Eagles went on to hold 10 points leads of 27-17 at the half and 43-33 at the three-quarter mark.

Powell scored 8 and Nauden 6 in the third period to help keep the Purple Eagles in control.

Maggie Kowalik and Tobi Abrams each scored 12 points to lead Akron.